Solar Panel Reinforcement and Outboard / Grill Mount Mod

[eodjedi]

Thought I'd share some photos of what I did this weekend. Thought I'd save some money avoiding the purchase of stern rail seats for what I wanted to do. Question: Those with stern rail seats; do you actually use them?

[eodjedi]

I replaced those pins with 1/4 SS bolts and nut.

[Gazmn]

Nice Job Cap'n

C/Would you provide details about your solar setup? Wattage, controller, Batts etc.

I'm always curious -& sometimes nosey

[paula_ke]

do I use my stern rail seat? Yes, at trawling speeds or light winds. Not very useful at anchor.

I built an OB mount for my dinghy out of wood and 'U' bolts that fastens to the outside of the starboard stern rail seat. Works very well for my 2.5 hp Suzuki and keeps the stern rail seat fully functional.



Captain Paula of the good ship AirWave

[Tomfoolery]

If I had 'em, I'd use 'em. Had 'em on my last boat, and they were the best seats in the house. I'd set the autohelm and park myself in one and just chill.

[eodjedi]

Nice Job Cap'n

C/Would you provide details about your solar setup? Wattage, controller, Batts etc.

I'm always curious -& sometimes nosey

Sure, I use a 160 Watt panel I picked up from amazon.
Right now I'm really getting sick and tired of the PWM I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0191 ... UTF8&psc=1

I'm thinking of finally pulling the trigger on an MPPT controller. The one I use now has this pulsing tendency that messes with my electronics ie: radio, gps etc.. I'm using a regular Deep cycle 12v that lasts 5 minutes before it's dead, so I'll be upgrading to 2x T105s this month.

[Ponaldpe]

Thought I'd share some photos of what I did this weekend. Thought I'd save some money avoiding the purchase of stern rail seats for what I wanted to do. Question: Those with stern rail seats; do you actually use them?

Do you have all installed when trailering?

[eodjedi]

I plan to, it's quite solid. I'll strap the outboard down so it's more secure and tilt the grill down to a vertical position. I don't drive far to my launching area so I don't see it being an issue. My old setup with my solar panel was much weaker and unstable but I still drove it that way to the marina.

[Sumner]

Nice work

....I'm thinking of finally pulling the trigger on an MPPT controller. The one I use now has this pulsing tendency that messes with my electronics ie: radio, gps etc.. I'm using a regular Deep cycle 12v that lasts 5 minutes before it's dead, so I'll be upgrading to 2x T105s this month.

I'd stay with a name brand on the controller. I have a Blue Sky and a Morningstar MPPT controller on the Mac and a Blue Sky on the Endeavour and have had no problems with any of them. There are of course other's that have been around and that get good reviews and won't mess with your other electronics. One pays a little more but considering how many years you will be using one it isn't much more per year.

I think you will like the 2 x T105 upgrade also,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[eodjedi]

I was thinking of getting something like this for the MPPT:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075NQQRPD/re ... 87065&sr=1

[Sumner]

I was thinking of getting something like this for the MPPT:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075NQQRPD/re ... 87065&sr=1

I'd probably feel good about any of the ones these guys sell...

https://www.altestore.com/store/charge- ... lers-c474/

.... and it looks like that the Victron is one and the company has been around for a long time. I know that my Blue Sky controllers are a lot heavier than some of the others that are rated the same. I'd take that to mean they might be more robust, but that might not be true. I went with the Morningstar for one of the ones on the Mac as I needed a 24v controller for the one of the solar arrays on the Mac and so far been happy with it,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Russ]

Nice setup. Very similar to how I did my solar panel. My supports for the panel are adjustable. We leave it down a bit while at the slip for better angle to sun.

Yes, we LOVE love love the stern seats. As Tom said, best seat in the house. Use them while grilling as the grill hangs off the stern.

--Russ

[KootsChewt]

I mounted our solar panel almost the exact same way. Works quite well. I adjusted the angle for the winter sun and it kept my batteries nicely topped up, even with the 4 months of cloud and snow we get here (helped keep the snow off too without intervention). I did zap strap my wires to the arch though and ran them down to the transom, where they then go through a hull and are routed under the aft bunk cushions etc to the battery area.

Cheers,
Andrew

[paula_ke]

Being a Ham radio operator and having a Ham radio on board I am very aware of noise generation. With MPPT controllers you get what you pay for. I've used three different mppt controllers with an eye towards low RFI (radio frequency interference). The cheap one's on Amazon are the worst. Broad spectrum noise on the shortware/HF bands (so if you plan to get some of your weather from shortwave you will have to disconnect your charger to hear anything). I settled on an expensive Morning Star Tri Star MPPT contoller (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010G ... bw_c_x_2_w that has FCC Class B certification for my 240 watt 4X4 van setup. When I was first looking there were very few options for low power MPPT with FCC Class B. It made mobile Ham radio operations possible during the day when the sun was out!

For the boat I found a lower cost controller designed by an EE that is also a Ham radio operator. https://www.diysolarforu.com/store/c1/F ... ducts.html. It is perfect for up to 16 amps or 300 watts. Works great, good price, not over kill and very RFI quiet.

Captain Paula of the good ship AirWave

[eodjedi]

Thanks for the suggestions. I looked at the link you sent me. Seems pretty legit. Haven't had too many issues with the VHF....maybe because the way I have it grounded. This will be my third controller so hopefully three times the charm.